L 19b 
,P5 B5 
J1847 
Copy 1 



REPORTS 



COMMITTEE 



APPOINTED BY THE 




BOARD OF CONTROLLERS OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS, 

op THE 

iFfnrt School mntxitt of ^tmsgUmnfcr, 

ON THE 

CONDITION OF THE SEVERAL SCHOOLS 

IN THE 

FIFTH, SIXTH, SEVENTH, EIGHTH & ELEVENTH 

SCHOOL SECTIONS. 



PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF CONTROLLERS. 




PHILADE 

Crissy & Marklev, Printers, No. 4 Minor Street. 
1847. 



5iS33»5V 



|ns^s^» 




REPORTS 




COMMITTEE 






APPOINTED BY THE 



BOARD OF CONTROLLERS OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS, 



jFfrst School mtatvitt of Jletwsaltoante, 



CONDITION OF THE SEVERAL SCHOOLS 



'> 






FIFTH, SIXTH, SEVENTH, EIGHTH AND ELEVENTH 



SCHOOL SECTIONS. 



PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF CONTROLLERS. 




PHILADE 



CRISSY & MARKLEY, PRINTERS, NO. 4 MINOR STREET. 

1847. 



o 



REPORT 



At a Meeting of the Board of Controllers of Public Schools, 
of the First School District of Pennsylvania, held on Tuesday, 
January 12th, 1847, the following report was read and adopted : 

To the Board of Controllers : 

The Committee appointed on the 29th of July last, " To 
visit the Fifth Section, and to examine and report to the Board 
whether a more perfect organization of the several schools in 
the Section cannot be effected, with special reference to their 
consolidation, and a reduction of the expenses," Respectfully 
submit the following report : 

That the several schools in the four Townships of Oxford, 
Lower Dublin, Byberry and Moreland, which comprises the 
Section, and which comprehends one third of the territorial 
limits of the First School District, have all been visited and 
examined by the Committee, except two small schools in the 
Township of Oxford. 

A Map of these Townships accompanies this report, on which 
the position of the several school houses is distinctly marked 
and numbered, and to which the Committee beg reference. 



No. 1 Is the Grammar School at Frankford, in which the 
Committee found 88 pupils in attendance in the Boys' School; 
90 in the Girls', and 220 in the Secondary or Primary School. 
The Boys' School is under the care of William H. Wood as 
Principal, and Rebecca S. Rose as Assistant. Ann E. Algeo 
had charge of the Girls' Grammar as Principal, with Mary J. 
Roberts as Assistant, and the Secondary was conducted by 
Mary A. Stratton as Principal, with Elizabeth Bird, and Sarah 
T. Durns as assistants. These scho6ls appeared to be well 
conducted, and in good order; the only subject of regret, was 
the infrequent visitation and examination by the local direc- 
tors. 

No. 2 Is a very small Unclassified School at Cedar Grove. 
The absence of the Teacher enabled the Committee only to 
examine the house, or rather room, which is in the basement of 
a dwelling house, situated about two miles west of Frankford, 
on the margin of a mill pond; small, badly furnished, ill venti- 
lated, and quite unsuited to the purposes of education. The 
Committee recommend that this school be discontinued. 

No. 3 Is a school called the Washington School, situated in 
the western part of Oxford Township, near Oxford Church. 
In this School the Committee found 34 pupils, Boys and Girls; 
and they recommend that it should hereafter constitute a Pri- 
mary School, under the care of a Female Teacher. 

No. 4 Is the school, — or rather schools, — for there are two ; 
taught in separate buildings, situated near the Fox Chase Vil- 
lage. One is an Unclassified School with 35 pupils of both 
sexes ; William M. Buckman, Teacher ; the other, the Primary, 
taught by Kitty Ann Wright, with 54. The number of pupils in 
both these schools (as indeed in all the schools in the section) is 
largely augmented during the winter season. Increased accom- 



modation is evidently needed here, and the Committee recom- 
mend an early appropriation for the erection of a suitable School 
House, at a place called Livezly Town, situated about half a 
mile from the present location, which would accommodate a 
larger number of children, and enable the Board to dispense 
with Nos. 3 and 5. 

No. 5 Is the "Upper Oxford School," situated near the 
Wheat Sheaf Tavern, on the Bustleton Turnpike road. The 
larger and more advanced pupils in this school, could readily 
go to the Grammar Schools at Frankford, Bustleton, or Holmes- 
burg; and the Committee recommend that this should hereafter 
constitute a Primary School, to be conducted by a competent 
Female Teacher. The Committee may also recommend that 
the accomplished Teacher, — William Stephens — a graduate of 
the High School, recently placed in this school, should find a 
place in any vacancy that may occur in one of our Grammar 
Schools. 

No. 6 Is quite a small Unclassified School, situated on the 
Frankford and Bristol Turnpike Road, about equi-distant from 
the former and Holmesburg. The Committee think that this 
school can be dispensed with, and accordingly recommend its 
discontinuance. 

No. 7 Is the New Grammar School, just completed, at Holmes- 
burg. Humphry I. Waterman, is Principal of the Boys' School 
and Sarah Shade, Assistant — Elizabeth Spencer has charge of 
the Girls' School, and Catharine S. Bailey conducts the Pri- 
mary, with Annie Clift as Assistant. The schools were opened 
for the reception of pupils on the visit of the Committee. They 
found in attendance 52 pupils in the Boys' School ; 47 in the 
Girls', and about one hundred in the Secondary *or Primary 
School. The number of pupils in each of these schools will 



6 

soon be largely increased. The Committee cannot but express 
the satisfaction they felt in visiting this neat and commodious 
School House, and they indulge the hope that it may be duly 
appreciated by the community for whose benefit and welfare it 
has been erected. 

No. 8 Is the Grammar School at Lower Dublin Academy. 
James W. Wheatland has charge of the Boys' School ; Miriam 
Comfort the Girls', and Catharine M. Enoch, the Primary. 
This is a well conducted school ; the discipline well maintained, 
and the state of improvement, especially in the Boys' school, 
quite satisfactory. There were 41 in attendance in the Boys' 
school, 33 in the Girls', and 37 in the Primary. The number of 
pupils will be considerably augmented in the course of a few 
weeks. 

No. 9 Is the Grammar School at Bustleton. Charles Hoag 
is the Principal of the Boys' School — Catharine M. Wright has 
charge of the Girls' ; — and Kate Miles the Primary. The state 
and condition of this School House has frequently been brought 
to the notice of the Board of Control, who appropriated, about 
a year ago, the sum of a thousand dollars for its repair. The 
dilapidated state of the house has prevented the Directors from 
making any expenditure, under the full belief that the true 
economy was to erect at once, a new and suitable building. The 
premises are now vested in Trustees, who have leased the same 
to the Board of Control for ten years without rent, provided 
suitable repairs were made. Believing that this building is en- 
tirely unfit for repair, your Committee unhesitatingly recom- 
mend an early appropriation for the erection of a new School 
House, provided the Trustees will convey the whole property 
to the Controllers in fee, or lease it for ninety-nine years. The 
attendance is now 56 Boys in the Grammar School and about 



GO Girls, whilst 120 children are crowded into a low, dark, 
damp, ill furnished and unhealthy room, in the basement ; many- 
parents keeping their children at home, or obliged to send them 
to private schools for the want of suitable accommodation here. 

No. 10 Are the schools at Byberry Meeting House. In the 
Unclassified Boys' and Girls' School, taught by James Ivins, the 
Committee found 31 pupils in attendance, a considerable num- 
ber of whom were coloured children. In the Primary School, 
taught by Jane Hillborn, in a small room in the second story 
of the building, they found about 20 scholars, several of whom 
were coloured. 

These schools, it is necessary to remark, are not under the ex- 
clusive jurisdiction of the Directors of Public Schools of By- 
berry Township. The Monthly Meeting of Friends of By- 
berry, to which the school house belongs, has long maintained 
these schools; and its Committee has elected the Teachers, 
prescribed the admission of pupils, and the general manage- 
ment of the schools.- A portion of the salaries of the teachers, 
books, stationery, fuel, and some incidental expenses are, and for 
some years have been, paid by the Board of Control. The local 
Board have been constrained to adopt this course, as the best in 
their option, because there is no other suitable house in the 
neighbourhood. To obviate the difficulties which necessarily 
flow from this conflicting jurisdiction, the Committee earnestly 
recommend the erection of small school houses in suitable parts 
of this Township. The necessity of this measure will be more 
apparent when the state and condition'of the other schools are 
described. This will not occasion a large expenditure. From the 
information derived by the Committee in the full and frank in- 
terviews with the intelligent gentlemen from Byberry, an ap- 
propriation of three thousand dollars will be a sum sufficient 



8 

to buy the land, erect the buildings, and furnish three school 
houses, amply sufficient for the accommodation of the children 
of this, (Byberry) and Moreland Townships. 

No. 11 Is quite a small Unclassified School, situated at a lit- 
tle place called Mechanicsville, on the line of Bucks county, 
about a mile north of No. 10, in which the Committee found 15 
children in attendance. They recommend the discontinuance 
of this school. 

No. 12 Is called the Walnut Hill School, situated about a 
mile west of Byberry Meeting House Schools, (No. 10). This 
school also belongs to the Society of Friends, and is partially 
under the jurisdiction of the Monthly Meeting's Committee. 
This is a well conducted school, under the care of Maria 
Houston, containing about 40 pupils, of both sexes. The house 
is capable of accommodating about 50 scholars. Several of the 
pupils here, are from the adjoining county of Bucks. One of the 
three school houses alluded to, it is contemplated to erect near 
this place. 

No. 13 Is an Unclassified, but quite an interesting and well 
conducted school at Smithfield, under the care of William 
Cameron, a competent Teacher. Here the Committee found 
about 60 pupils of both sexes in attendance. The school house 
belongs to certain Trustees, who have always exercised a juris- 
diction independent of that of the local school Board. One of 
the houses recommended in this report, it is contemplated to 
erect at or near this place. 

No. 14 Is a very small Unclassified School, at a place called 
Pleasantville, situated on the line of Bucks county, about three- 
fourths of a mile from No. 13. Here the Committee counted 14 
children in attendance, several of whom were coloured. This 
school the Committee recommend should be discontinued. 



9 

No. 15 Is the Moreland School, sometimes called Tillyer's, 
situated near the Bustleton Turnpike Road, midway from Smith- 
field and Bustleton, about one and a half miles from each place, 
under the care of William A. Murray. This house was re- 
cently erected by the Board of Control, at a cost of about $850. 
It is a neat school house, capable of accommodating about 50 
pupils, but the Committee regretted to find only 16 scholars in 
attendance. 

No. 16 Is quite a small school, situated at a place called 
Knightsville, about one mile east of No. 15, taught in a dilapi- 
dated shanty, in which the Committee found 14 children of both 
sexes in attendance. The discontinuance of this school is also 
recommended. 

No. 17 Is a small Unclassified School, situated at a place 
known as Powell Town, about two miles north of the Grammar 
School at Lower Dublin, and about the same distance south 
from the place where it is contemplated to erect one of the 
school houses recommended by the Committee. In this school 
the Committee found but 15 children in attendance, and although 
the number of pupils is augmented during the winter season, 
they think it can be dispensed with, and therefore recommend 
its discontinuance. 

The Committee have thus endeavored to present to the Board 
a brief statement of all the schools under its care in the Section, 
except the school for coloured children at Frankford. The first 
and most pressing difficulty is the want of good and properly 
constructed school houses. This it is proposed to remedy, as 
soon as it is in the power of the Board to do so. The Com- 
mittee may also remark that the season of the year, at which 



10 

their visits were made, (the month of October) is one at which 
there is a less number of children in attendance at the schools 
in the rural districts, than at any other ; and hence the small 
number in most of the schools. 

Great want of attention in visiting and examining the seve- 
ral schools, is manifestly evident on the part of the Directors of 
the Section generally. The subject was brought to the notice 
of the Local Board at an interview the Committee had, and the 
importance of greater care in this respect was earnestly pressed 
upon the members of it. 

The Teachers were also admonished on some subjects of dis- 
cipline, particularly as to correct registration. This is a matter 
the Committee deem of great importance, as incorrect and care- 
less registration is absolutely worse that useless. 

In the hope that their labor has not been in vain, the Com- 
mittee conclude their report by respectfully recommending the 
adoption of the following resolutions : 

Resolved, That the following schools in the Fifth Section be 
discontinued, and that the salaries and services of the respective 
Teachers, cease and determine on the thirty-first day of March 
next. 

The School situated at Cedar Grove, in Oxford Township. 

The School situated on the Frankford Turnpike Road, be- 
tween that place and Holmesburg, in the same Township. 

The School situated at Mechanicsville, in Byberry Township. 

The School situated at Pleasantville, in Byberry Township. 

The School situated at Knightsville, in Byberry Township. 

The School situated at Powell Town, in Moreland Township. 



11 

Resolved, That from and after the thirty-first day of March 
next, the schools called the Washington School, near Oxford 
Church, and that known as Oxford Upper School, be constituted 
Primary Schools, each to be conducted by a competent Female 
Teacher, at a salary of two hundred dollars respectively. 

Resolved, That an appropriation of three thousand dollars, in 
addition to the sum already appropriated, be made to the Fifth 
Section, when the funds of the Controllers will admit of it, for 
the purpose of erecting a suitable school house at Bustleton, pro- 
vided the Trustees of Bustleton Academy convey the said 
Academy and premises to the Board of Control in fee simple — 
or lease the same for a period of ninety-nine years ; and pro- 
vided also, that the whole expense of the same, including fur- 
niture, fencing, grading, &c, does not exceed the sum so appro- 
priated. 

Resolved, That the sum of three thousand dollars be appro- 
priated to the Fifth Section for the purpose of erecting three 
school houses in Byberry Township, as recommended in this 
report. 



EEPOET. 



At a Meeting of the Board of Controllers of Public Schools, 
of the First School District of Pennsylvania, held on Tuesday, 
April 13th, 1847, the following report was read and adopted : 

To the Board of Controllers: 

The Committee appointed to " visit and examine the several 
Schools in the Fifth, Sixth, and Eleventh Sections, and re- 
port to the Board of Controllers whether a more perfect orga- 
nization cannot be effected, with special reference to their con- 
solidation, and a reduction in the expenses," Respectfully sub- 
mit the following Report of the state and condition of the 
schools in the Sixth, and Eleventh Sections ; the schools in those 
Sections respectively, having been severally visited and examin- 
ed by the Committee. And having first visited the Eleventh 
Section, they proceed to report upon the state and condition of 
the schools in it. 

No. 1 is an Unclassified School, conducted by Joseph H. 
Schreiner, an intelligent Teacher, in a building or shed attached 
to a Hotel situated at the corner of the Ridge Road and Wash- 
ington lane, about a mile above the Girard College. Thirty- 
eight Boys and thirty-four Girls were in attendance. Good 
order appeared to be maintained, and the school well conducted. 



14 

No. 2 Is an Unclassified School under the care of George W. 
B. Felton, in the basement of a building used as a Church, 
situated at Morris city, near the Spring Garden Basin. The 
school room and furniture were found to be greatly out of re- 
pair, and a small appropriation for the purpose of fitting it up 
being much needed, is accordingly recommended. 

No. 3 and No. 4 Are the Schools in Cohocksink village, in 
Seventh near Camac street, in a building recently purchased 
from the County Commissioners by the Controllers. Two rooms 
have recently been fitted up, and partially furnished. In one 
is the Boys' school, under the care of Charles Bowman, in which 
the Committee found 104 pupils in attendance. The necessity 
for an Assistant Teacher was so apparent, that an immediate 
appointment of one was recommended to the local Directors, 
and an assistant is now placed there. 

The Girls' School, in an adjoining room, is under the care of 
Loraine Bradbury. In it the Committee found 110 children 
registered, and 84 in attendance. A small appropriation is 
needed for new furniture, and fitting up, and is accordingly 
recommended. The appointment of an Assistant Teacher is 
also recommended, so soon as the requisite average is obtained. 
The discipline of these Schools, and the progress of the pupils, 
was satisfactory to the Committee. 

No. 5. In a building on Broad street, near the Germantown 
road, two schools are conducted. That on the first floor was 
under the care of William W. Stratton, in which the Committee 
found but 34 children in attendance. In the basement, under 
the charge of Jane Bender, there were only 23 present. This 
lower room was dark, damp and dirty, and as one Teacher in 



15 

the upper room can readily attend to all the children, the Com- 
mittee believe that the school conducted in the lower story can 
be dispensed with, and accordingly recommend its discontinu- 
ance. 

No. 6 Is the school at Rising Sun village, under the care of 
Adam Schank, conducted in the lower story of a building rented 
by the Directors, in which the Committee found 46 children in 
attendance. In the upper room there was present 30 children, 
under the charge of Mary L. De Porras. This building is 
within a short half mile of the new building at Nicetown, the 
upper room of which, already finished and furnished, is entirely 
vacant. The Committee therefore recommend the discontinu- 
ance of Mr. Schank's school, — that a Primary School be con- 
ducted in the lower story of this building, and that an Unclassi- 
fied School, under the care of a Male Teacher, be established at 
Nicetown. 

No. 7 Is the school in the same village, near the one above 
described, under the care of Susan Passmore. This school the 
Committee recommend be constituted a Primary School, and 
that the salary should not exceed two hundred dollars per 
annum. 

No. 8 Is the school at Nicetown. Miss McCollin, the Prin- 
cipal, has recently resigned her situation, and Caroline E. Weeks, 
the Assistant Teacher, the Committee found was conducting 
the school. There were 46 pupils in attendance, whilst ample 
accommodation has been made for 200. The Committee re- 
commend the appointment of a Male Teacher, at a salary of 
four hundred dollars per annum, and that the larger pupils in 
the two schools at Rising Sun village should be accommodated 
here. 



16 

No. 9 Is the school house at the Falls of Schuylkill, in which 
are two schools, one under the care of Morgan J. Thomas, and 
the Primary in charge of Miss Jane Gray. 108 pupils were 
registered here, and 87 were found to be in attendance. 

No. 10 Comprehends the several Schools now conducted in 
the new school house recently erected at Port Richmond. In 
the upper story is the Boys' and Girls' Grammar School, un- 
der the care of Samuel A. Hibbs, as Principal, with H. E. 
Mather as Assistant. In this school 80 Boys and 36 Girls were 
registered, and about 100 present. On the second floor is a 
Secondary School, consisting of Boys and Girls; of which 110 
were present, under the charge of E. B. Bond as Principal, and 
M. E. Wharton as Assistant. 

In the Primary, conducted on the lower floor by Mary 
E. Abbet as Principal, and E. Campbell and E. Hood as As- 
sistants, 202 children were registered, and 180 were in at- 
tendance. It will thus be perceived that nearly 400 children 
are already in attendance at this place, and such is the rapid 
increase of this great depot, that the several schools will 
soon be filled. It was very gratifying to the Committee to wit- 
ness the good order maintained here, and the progress and pro- 
ficiency of the pupils. These schools are conferring lasting 
benefits upon the community in which they are placed, and in 
view of the arduous duties of the Teachers, the Committee are 
of opinion that they should be placed on the same footing, as 
regards compensation, as the other Grammar Schools in the 
outer districts. 

No. 11 Is a small Unclassified School conducted by Josiah 
Kerper, in a building situated on Hart lane, between the Front 



17 

and Second street roads. Here the Committee found 42 Boys 
and 36* Girls in attendance. 

No. 12 Embraces the schools at Bridesburg; and excellent 
and well conducted schools the Committee found them. They 
are now established in a building rented to the Board by the 
County Commissioners, but which is, or is about to be, sold. 
Although altered and fitted up for the purpose by the local 
Directors, the house is too small, and too illy adapted for school 
purposes to accommodate the large and increasing population 
of this thriving neighbourhood; a new and suitable house is 
therefore needed, and an appropriation for that purpose is ac- 
cordingly recommended. The Unclassified School is under the 
charge of William E. Cheston, and the Primary under that 
of Mary Curtis, both of whom are competent Teachers. 

No. 13 Is a building belonging to the Controllers, situated 
on the Frankford Turnpike, about three-fourths of a mile from 
the Grammar School in that Borough, and known as the " Bar- 
ton School." In it, two schools are taught; one, on the lower 
floor, by William F. Page; in which the Committee found but 
25 children. The one in the upper room by Miss E. L. Buckius. 
The Committee are of opinion that but one school is needed 
here, there not being a sufficient number of scholars to maintain 
two, and they accordingly recommend that the school under the 
care of Miss Emma L. Buckius be discontinued. 

No. 14 Is the new School House recently erected by the 
Board of Controllers, near the corner of Eleventh and 
Thompson streets, in the flourishing and rapidly improving Dis- 
trict of South Penn. This House was opened on the 10th of May, 
1847, and the Committee found in the unclassified School 119 



18 

pupils — namely 61 Boys and 58 Girls, under the care of Joseph 
H. Schreiner as Principal and Mary Ealer, as assistant, (Mr. 
Schreiner has been removed from No. 1, and Mr. James Leo- 
nard, from Hestonville, elected to that School in his place.) The 
Directors contemplate opening the Primary School in the lower 
story of this House on the 24th of May. The School Furni- 
ture not having been in readiness. 

These comprise all the schools in the Eleventh Section. 

The memorial from the Directors of this Section to the Board of 
Controllers for "the erection of a new school house in a central 
part of North Penn Township," having been referred to your 
Committee, they have visited the scite on which it was contem- 
plated to erect it, and have given to the subject an attentive 
consideration. They are of opinion that it is inexpedient at 
present to grant an appropriation, and accordingly recommend 
that course. 

THE SCHOOLS IN THE SIXTH SECTION. 

No. 1. The Grammar School at Germantown, known as the 
"Rittenhouse School." The Boys' School is under the care 
of Charles S. Wilson, with one Female Assistant. In this 
school the Committee found 85 Boys registered, and 56 in at- 
tendance. They think that the salary of the Assistant Teacher 
should be reduced to two hundred dollars per annum, and ac- 
cordingly submit a resolution to that effect. In the Girls' 
School, to the charge of which Miss Eliza Chapin, the assistant 
in the Boys' School, has just been appointed, the Committee 
found but 47 pupils in attendance, wilh an average not greatly 
exceeding that number. The Committee think, in view of this 
sparse attendance, the salary of the Principal should be re- 
duced to three hundred dollars per annum, and submit a reso- 
lution in accordance. 



19 

In the Primary School under the charge of Maria McClelland, 
with two assistants, 180 children were registered, and 165 were 
present. 

No. 2 Is the Grammar School at Manayunk, in the new 
and commodious house recently erected. The Boys' School 
is under the care of William P. Hodgson, with Sarah B. Coffin 
as Assistant. Angelina E. Thomas is the Principal of the 
Girls' School, with A. Jones and K. Stewart as Assistants. 
These schools are augmenting in number of pupils, and are well 
managed, under competent Teachers. The Primary, which is 
a very large school, having upwards of 250 children in attend- 
ance, is a well conducted school under the management of 
Ann W. Chapin as Principal, and three Assistants, namely, 
A. A. Scheetz, E. H. Boyd, and S. E. Alexander. 

No. 3 Is a small Primary, known as the Manheim Street 
School. In it the Committee found 52 children in attendance, 
under the care of Margaret C. Prevost. New furniture is 
much needed here, and the Local Directors were requested by 
the Committee to procure it. 

No. 4 Is a building situated on Allen's Lane, near Mount Airy, 
belonging to certain Trustees, who have agreed to convey it and 
the eligible lot on which it is erected, containing about half an 
acre, to the Board of Controllers, provided an appropriation of 
fifteen hundred dollars is made for the erection of a new house. 
After an examination of the premises, the Committee are satis- 
fied that the expenditure of a much smaller sum would render 
the substantial building now in use, sufficient for the wants of 
the neighbourhood for some years to come. The subject is there- 
fore recommended to the careful attention of the Local Board. 



20 

There are two well conducted schools maintained here. On the 
lower floor the Committee found 45 pupils, Boys and Girls, un- 
der the care of James Otterson. In the upper room is the 
Primary, with 71 children, managed by Tacy Y. Heacock. 

No. 5 Is a small Primary, called the Franklinville School, 
conducted by Ann Hesser, in the Franklin Engine House, on 
the Main street of Germantown. The Committee found 53 
children in attendance. 

No. 6 Is the new school house at Chestnut Hill, into which 
the schools known as "Harmony," "Upper Harmony," and 
" Lower Harmony," (and in all of which the Committee found 
about 150 children in attendance,) were about to be removed. 

No. 7 Is the school situated at Milestown, conducted by 
Henry P. Burchall, in which the Committee found 53 pupils in 
attendance. The building and lot, which is well located, be- 
longs to Trustees, from whom it is rented by the Board, and 
with a very moderate expenditure could be rendered sufficient- 
ly commodious. A memorial is now before the Controllers for 
an appropriation for a new school house, but the Committee re- 
commend fitting up the present building, and furnishing the same 
in a proper manner. 

No. 8 Is the Roberts' School in Bristol Township, situated 
on the Second street Road and Fisher's Lane. This is a small, 
ill conducted school, which, with the Crescentville School, and 
with the pupils from that at Cedar Grove, in the Fifth Section, 
recently discontinued by the Broad of Controllers, could readi- 
ly be consolidated. The Committee therefore earnestly recom- 
mend that a suitable central lot should be procured and a huuse 



21 

erected thereon, sufficient to accommodate the neighbourhoods 
in which the Roberts', Crescentville and Cedar Grove Schools 
are situated, and that the two former, as has the latter, should 
be discontinued. 

No. 9, The Morton School, is a new building situated in Bris- 
tol Township, on a road leading to Branchtown. In it an Un- 
classified School is conducted by Miss Esther Megarge; 35 
children were in attendance here, and the Committee were 
pleased with the appearance of this school. 

No. 10 Is a new school house just completed at Roxborough, 
intended to embrace the pupils of the " Yellow School," and the 
Roxborough Central, and some of the pupils of the Union and 
Roxborough Schools. 

No. 12 Is a building known as the Roxborough School, erect- 
ed for school purposes, and held by certain Trustees, who rent 
it to the Local Board. The Committee are of opinion that 
Primary School is sufficient for the wants of this neighborhood, 
and that " No. 18'" of the Annual Report, known as the Rox- 
borough Primary School, could be accommodated in it, and that 
school discontinued. They accordingly submit a resolution to 
that effect. 

No. 13, The Union Schools, in the basement of the Lutheran 
Church in Roxborough. These schools the Committee believe 
can be readily consolidated and managed by one Teacher, and 
accordingly recommend the discontinuance of the school now 
under the care of Miss Margaret M. Morrison. 

No. 14 Is a large Primary School, situated at Manayunk, on 
the Main street, under the care of Sarah Spencer as Prin- 



22 

cipal, with Mary C. Young as Assistant. Here the Committee 
found upwards of 100 children in attendance, and the school 
well conducted. 

No. 15 Is a Primary, known as the " Block School," also 
situated in Manayunk. There were about 50 children in atten- 
dance here, under the charge of Sarah J. Algeo, who ap- 
peared to be fully competent thereto. The condition of the 
furniture, &c, in this school, was brought to the notice of the 
Local Directors. 

No. 10 Is a building erected for school purposes, and held by 
certain Trustees, situated at a little place on the Wissahiccon 
Creek, called Rittenhouse Town. Here the Committee found 
35 scholars, Boys and Girls, present. The Teacher, David F. 
Drew, has been but a short time in charge of the school. The 
Committee hope that further experience will render his services 
more effective. 

No. 17 Is a neat and commodious school house recently 
erected at Rowlandville, near Frankford, in Bristol Township; 
by the public spirit of the neighborhood, chiefly by the liberality 
of the Messrs. Rowland. In finishing and furnishing this taste- 
ful house, which is really a model for rural school houses, a debt 
of one hundred and sixty dollars has been incurred, to defray 
which, the aid of the Board of Controllers is invoked, and 
an appropriation of that amount solicited, for which the 
Trustees agree to lease the building and premises to the 
Board of Control, free of rent. The Committee believing it 
to be for the interest of all to accept the lease on these terms, 
cordially recommend the appropriation, and submit a resolu- 
tion to that effect. 



23 

The Committee conclude their report, which embraces all the 
schools in the Sixth and Eleventh Sections, by respectfully re- 
commending the adoption of the following resolutions: 

Resolved, That an appropriation of one hundred dollars be 
made to the Eleventh Section, for the purpose of furnishing and 
fitting up each of the Unclassified Schools at Morris City, and 
the Girls' School at Cohocksink. 

Resolved, That from and after the first day of July next, the 
following Schools be discontinued, namely : 

The School now conducted in the basement of the building 
on Broad street near the Germantown Road, in the Eleventh 
Section. 

The Unclassified School, now under care of Mr. Schank, 
in the Rising Sun Village, in the same section. 

The School now conducted by Miss E. L. Buckius, in the 
upper room of the building known as the " Barton School," in 
the same Section. 

The Roberts' School, on the- Second street Road, in Bristol 
Township, in the Sixth Section. 

The Crescentville School, in the same Section. 

The School known as the Roxborough School, now conducted 
by Edward Poole, in the same Section. 

The School now under the care of Margaret Morrison, in the 
basement of the Church at Roxborough, in the same Section. 

The School known as the Roxborough Primary School, in the 
same Section. 

Resolved, That a Male Teacher, at a salary of four hundred 
dollars per annum, be recommended to the Eleventh Section for 
the Nicetown School. 



24 

Resolved, That the salaries to be paid to the several Teachers 
in the schools at Port Richmond be fixed at the same rate as those 
paid to the Teachers of the Grammar Schools at Frankford, 
Holmesburg, Germantown, and Bustleton. 

Resolved, That the sum of three thousand dollars be appro- 
priated to the Eleventh Section, for the purpose of procuring a 
Lot and erecting a new school house at Bridesburg. 

Resolved, That the sum of two thousand dollars be appro- 
priated to the Sixth Section, for the purpose of procuring a cen- 
tral lot and building a house sufficient to accommodate the pu- 
pils in the schools ordered to be discontinued by this Board, 
namely : Cedar Grove, in Fifth Section ; and the Roberts' and 

Crescentville Schools, in the Sixth Section. 

* 

Resolved, That the sum of one hundred and sixty dollars be 
appropriated to the Sixth Section, for the purpose of discharging 
the debt and liens on the school at Rowlandville, provided the 
Trustees or owners of that school will lease the same, and pre- 
mises, to the Board of Controllers for ten years free from rent. 

Resolved, That the salaries to be hereafter paid to the follow- 
ing named Teachers, respectively, be fixed as follows, namely : 

To the Teacher in the Primary School at Rising Sun, two 
hundred dollars per annum. 

To the Assistant in the Boys' Grammar School at German- 
town, two hundred dollars per annum. 

To the Principal of the Girls' Grammar School at German- 
town, three hundred dollars per annum. 

To the Teacher of the Primary School at Roxborough, two 
hundred dollars per annum. 



REPORT. 



At a Meeting of the Board of Controllers of Public Schools, 
of the First School District of Pennsylvania, held on Tuesday, 
May 11th, 1847, the following report was read and adopted: 

To the Board of Controllers: 

The Committee appointed to visit the outer Sections, having 
now completed the examination of the several schools in the 
Seventh and Eighth Sections, respectfully submit the following 
concluding Report : 

No. 1. West Philadelphia Grammar Schools. 

The Boys' Grammar School is under the care of H. R. War- 
riner, at a salary of six hundred dollars per annum, with Ann H. 
Hood, as Assistant, at two hundred and twenty-five dollars per 
annum. In this school the Committee found 83 Boys in at- 
tendance, 108 were on the roll, and the average attendance was 
99. The Principal of this school, has had the charge of it but 
a short time ; more experience in the school, and a more familiar 
acquaintance with the pupils, will, it is hoped, present a better 
result than was exhibited to the Committee. 

The Girls' Grammar School is in charge of Elizabeth W. 
Clark as Principal, who receives three hundred dollars per an- 



26 

num, and Sarah C. Ridgway as Assistant, at two hundred dol- 
lars per annum. There were 87 scholars present, 123 register- 
ed, an average attendance of 100. 

The Secondary School, which afforded the most satisfaction 
to the Committee, is conducted by Anna W. Goucher, at a sala- 
ry of two hundred and fifty dollars, and Anna E. Culin to assist 
her, with one hundred and sixty-five dollars per annum. In it 
the Committee found 155 children assembled, 184 on roll, and 
an average of 126. 

The Committee have to lament the infrequent visitation and 
examination of these schools by the local Directors; a circum- 
stance greatly to be regretted, as without constant supervision, 
all schools are liable to degenerate. 

No. 2 Is the School for Coloured Children in West Philadel- 
phia, under the charge of Robert C. H. Jones, a coloured 
Teacher, whose salary is two hundred dollars per annum. In 
this school the Committee found 27 children of both sexes pre- 
sent; 60 on roll, and an average attendance of 35. The house 
in which the school is conducted, a small one story frame build- 
ing, affords very scanty accommodation, and an effort to pro- 
cure a room better adapted to the purpose is recommended to 
the attention of the Local Board. 

No. 3 Is a small Unclassified School, situated at " Aston- 
ville," near the head of the Inclined Plane, on the Columbia 
Rail Road. Thirty-one children, Boys and Girls, were present, 
under the care of Elizabeth M. Watson, who receives a salary 
of two hundred and twenty dollars per annum ; 70 names were 
on the roll, and the average attendance is about 40. A new 



21 

school house is now erecting within a few hundred feet of this, 
on a lot of land recently purchased by the Controllers, which is 
calculated to be ready for the reception of pupils in a few 
weeks. The increased facilities for education which will thus 
be afforded, will have, it is hoped and believed, a favorable in- 
fluence on the discipline of the school, insure a more regular at- 
tendance, and promote the progress of the pupils. 

No. 4 Is also a small Unclassified School, called the " Blockley 
Union," situated on "Rabbit Lane," near the road leading to 
West Chester. The Controllers have recently purchased a lot 
of land near this school house, and are now erecting a substan- 
tial house, into which the pupils will be removed in the course 
of a few weeks, when it is hoped a much better school will be 
maintained. 

Mary McLaurin has the charge of this school. Her salary 
is two hundred and twenty dollars per annum ; 42 children 
were present, 62 registered, and the average attendance was 36. 

No. 5, In the basement of the Methodist Meeting House in 
the Village of Haddington, is a small Unclassified School, con- 
ducted by Sarah E. Capp, whose salary is two hundred and 
twenty dollars per annum. Here the Committee found 25 
children in attendance, 50 on the roll, and an average of 38. 
The furniture in this school was deemed unsuitable and in bad 
condition, and the attention of the Local Directors was invited 
to it. 

No. 6, In a small room of about fourteen feet square, in 
the lower story of a dwelling house situated in Mantua Vil- 
lage ; the Committee found 51 children of both sexes crowded 
together, under the care of Henry Wynkoop, as Teacher, with 



28 

a salary of two hundred and twenty dollars per annum. Better 
accommodation is greatly needed at this place, and the Commit- 
tee recommend that an appropriation be made for the purchase 
of a suitable lot, and the erection of a small school house, simi- 
lar to the one built at Rowlandville, to be placed under the 
care of a Female Teacher. 

No. 7 Is the Primary School, situated near Hestonville, in 
a house belonging to the Controllers ; conducted by Henrietta 
Houpt, who receives two hundred and twenty dollars per an- 
num. In it there were in attendance 41 children, 62 registered, 
and the average was 45. 

No. 8. The Hestonville Schools. 

In the Boys' School, which is taught by Lewis L. Houpt, 
there were present 27 scholars, 52 on roll, and an average at- 
tendance of about 30. These numbers are augmented during 
the winter season; and although some attempts have been made 
at classification, yet it cannot be regarded as a Grammar School. 
The Committee therefore recommend that the salary of the 
Teacher, which is now six hundred dollars per annum, be re- 
duced to the sum paid to Teachers of the same grade of Un- 
classified Schools in the District, — namely, four hundred dollars 
per annum, and a resolution in accordance is submitted. 

The Girls' School, in the lower room of the same building, is 
conducted by Mary Ann Leonard, who receives a salary of two 
hundred and sixty dollars per annum. The Committee found 
28 pupils present, 41 on the roll, and an average attendance 
of 38. 

No. 9 Is the school know as " Upper Kingsessing," an Un- 
classified School, situated near the Sorrel Horse Tavern, on the 



29 

Darby Road. In this school the Committee found 52 pupils of 
both sexes crowded together ; 00 was the registered number, 
and 47 the average. The moral condition of this school was 
any thing but satisfactory to the Committee, and in none that 
has passed under its inspection is greater reform needed than in 
this. The Committee recommend that a suitable lot should be 
procured, and a small house similar to that at Rovvlandville be 
built, so as to accommodate the pupils of this, and those of the 
one about to be described, and that both should then be dis- 
continued. Resolutions to that effect are accordingly submitted. 

No. 10 Is a small Unclassified School, situated on the same 
road, about half a mile south of the one above described, and 
known as " Middle Kingsessing School." In it the Committee 
found 27 children present, under the charge of Ann H. Smith, 
who receives a salary of two hundred and fifty dollars. There 
were 52 names on the roll, and an average attendance of 31. 

No. 1 1 Is the " Lower Kingsessing School," under the care 
of Harris Y. Louderback, at a salary of four hundred dollars per 
annum, in which the Committee found 41 Boys present, 54 regis- 
tered, and an average attendance of about 40. The examina- 
tion made here, afforded satisfaction to the Committee, both as 
to the qualification of the Teacher, and of the progress of the 
pupils. It is conducted in a small stone house, erected by the 
people of the neighbourhood many years ago, and with the lot of 
land attached to it, is now held by Trustees for school purposes. 
It has been for some time contemplated to erect a suitable house, 
sufficiently large to accommodate the pupils of this school, and 
those of the one about to be described, and that course is ac- 
cordingly recommended by the Committee. 



30 

No. 12 Is an interesting and well conducted school, situated 
at Paschalville, near the one above described, under the care of 
a competent Teacher; — Mary L. Banning. It is held in the base- 
ment of the Village Church, and the accommodations are very 
unsuitable, being dark and damp. Here the Committee found 
70 pupils in attendance, 75 on the roll, with an average atten- 
dance of about 60. The examination of this school was highly 
satisfactory to the Committee. 



SCHOOLS IN THE EIGHTH SECTION. 

No. 1 Is a school called the " Franklin School," conducted 
in the lower story of a neat school house recently erected by 
the Controllers on a lot of land, about a mile from Penrose's 
Ferry, in Passyunk. In this school 65 pupils were present, 
under the charge of D. R. Hawkins as Teacher, whose salary 
is four hundred dollars per annum ; 102 names were on the re- 
gister, and the average attendance is about 70. The Primary 
School, formerly taught in the upper room, has recently been 
discontinued. The Local Directors are about to re-establish 
this, which, under a competent Teacher, will be useful to the 
younger pupils, and render Mr. Hawkins' services much more 
effective. 

No. 2 Is the "Passyunk School," under the care of George 
Hewston, in which the Committee found 49 pupils in atten- 
dance. There were 66 names on the roll, and an average at- 
tendance of about 50. New Furniture is much needed in this 
school, and it was satisfactory to find that this want is about to 
be supplied by and under the direction of the Committee on 
Property. 



31 

No. 3 Is the "Landreth School," delightfully situated on a 
property recently purchased by the Controllers, at the well 
known Garden of that name, on Federal street. John S. Furey 
conducts the Unclassified School, and Jane M. Furey the Pri- 
mary, in separate rooms. The former receives a salary of four 
hundred dollars per annum ; and the latter two hundred and 
fifty dollars. Sixty-four pupils were in attendance, and 109 
were registered. Great irregularity in attendance obtains at this 
school, owing in a great measure to the peculiar nature of the 
avocation of many of the Parents and Guardians of the pupils. 
During the winter season, and at some other periods of the 
year, the attendance is more regular, and the number of scholars 
increased. 

This completes the examination of the several schools in the 
Sections referred to the Committee, and they now respectfully 
submit, and recommend for adoption the following Resolutions: 

Resolved, That the sum of one thousand dollars be, and the 
same is hereby appropriated to the Seventh Section, for the pur- 
pose of purchasing a lot of ground and building a school house 
in Mantua Village, suitable for a Primary School, and that the 
same be placed under the care of a Female Teacher. 

Resolved, That the salary of the Teacher of the Boys' 
School, at Hestonville, be fixed at four hundred dollars per an- 
num, instead of six hundred, as now paid ; the reduction to com- 
mence on and after the 1st of July next. 

# 
Resolved, That the sum of one thousand dollars be, and the 
same is hereby appropriated to the Seventh Section, for the 
purpose of building a house and purchasing a lot of land at or 



32 

near the Sorrel Horse, on the Darby Road, so as to accommo- 
date the pupils of the schools known as " Upper Kingsessing," 
and " Middle Kingsessing," and that those schools be then dis- 
continued. 

Resolved, That the sum of one thousand dollars be, and the 
same is hereby appropriated to the Seventh Section, for the pur- 
pose of building a house near Paschal ville, to accommodate the 
pupils of the " Lower Kingsessing," and of the Paschalville 
Schools, provided the Trustees of the Lower Kingsessing School 
will grant the lot of land and premises held by them to the 
Controllers in fee simple. 

The duties confided to the Committee by the Board of Con- 
trollers have now been fulfilled, and the schools in the sections 
referred to their notice, have been visited and reported upon. 

There are, however, some subjects of a general nature, which 
have presented themselves to the Committee, and which are 
deemed to be so important to the more perfect organization of 
our school system, as to justify a few remarks. Before conclud- 
ing their report, therefore, they take leave respectfully to offer 
a brief suggestion or two. 



*ce> 



The Committee have thought that great good would arise 
from the establishment of a Central Inspection and Examina- 
tion of all the schools of the district. It has long been regard- 
ed as an important object by those members of the Board who 
have had the most experience in its concerns, that the numer- 
ous schools now under its care, and the very important interests 
which their operations involve, should receive a closer super- 
vision and oversight ; and the Committee recommend the ap- 



33 

pointment of a General Superintendent of all the schools in the 
district; whose duty it should be to visit periodically all and 
every school in the First School District, and report to the Board 
of Controllers at least once in six months 

The state of each school, its moral character and condition. 

The instruction given, and the method pursued by the re- 
spective Teachers. 

To insist upon the correct Registration of the pupils in the 
schools, and to have the same duly reported. 

To see that the supplies of Books and Stationery furnished 
to the several schools by the Board of Controllers, are adapted 
to the wants of those schools, and to prevent the abuse or in- 
jury of the supplies so furnished. 

To report upon the condition and situation of the School 
Houses and Furniture ; — of the several properties belonging to 
the Board, or in its tenure ; and to prevent the same from being 
injured or destroyed for want of timely care. 

And generally to perform such other services as the Board of 
Controllers may from time to time devolve upon him. 

The Committee have already adverted to the infrequent visi- 
tation of the schools, and the examination of the pupils, which 
obtains in several of the sections ; and they return to the sub- 
ject again, to suggest whether, a general circular letter, address- 
ed to the Directors of the several Sections, urging this most im- 
portant duty upon them, might not have a salutary effect. 

In the prosecution of their duties, no subject has presented 

itself to the attention of the Committee with more force than 

the want of suitably qualified Teachers ; especially in our 

Secondary and Primary Schools ; the standard of which they 

desire to see elevated. Indeed the times seem to demand that 
3 



34 

our whole school system should occupy a higher position, and 
be more intellectual in its character than it has hitherto been. 
The Teacher, and the profession of a Teacher, must be rightly 
estimated, properly elevated, and made to occupy a more dig- 
nified and honorable position. The Teachers in a great degree 
make the school, and their character and attainments must de- 
termine the character and quality of the education they give. 
All plans, therefore, for the improvement of education, must 
begin with the Teachers, and provide greater facilities for their 
fuller and more professional education. 

The Committee forbear to enlarge upon this most important 
matter — much might be added, to urge the necessity of some 
action upon it; — but they conclude with expressing the hope that 
it may engage the early and earnest attention of the Board of 
Controllers. 

J. COWPERTHWAIT^ 
GEO. W. VAUGHAN, * 
P. M. HAGNER, ! I 

JAMES J. BARCLAY, i * 
W. S. HALLOWELL, 
F. SORBER, 



O 



Philadelphia, May 11th, 1847. 

Certified from the Minutes of the Board of Controllers of 
Public Schools of the First School District of Pennsylvania. 

THOMAS B. FLORENCE, 

Secretary. 



021 520 575 7 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



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